Lock



Patented Nov. 4, 1941 VUNITED STATE LOCKy Arnold'A. Bluemle, Anderson, Ind., assigner General MotorsCorporation, Detroit, Mich.; a

corporation of Delaware Application November 9, 1938, serial No. 239,648

` 16 claims. (c1. 70-379lf y This invention relates to door locks and more particularly to the type of door lock Which includes a lock cylinder rotatable in a frame and operatively connected with a shaft extending into a latch operating mechanism housed within the door.

It is an aim/ and object of` the present invention to provide simple and durable means for coupling the shaft to the lock cylinder and for retaining the cylinder in thevframe.

Further objects andadvantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view of a lock cylinder and shaft assembly partly in section, the section being taken on the line of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a view of the assembly looking in the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the member for retaining the lock shaft and the lock cylinderk in coupled relation and for retaining the cylin der within the frame.

Referring to the drawing, the lock comprises a frame provided with a stepped bore which receives a llock cylinder 2| which can be turned with respect to the frame by the use of the proper key. The cylinder-2| has a shoulder 22 bearing against a shoulder 23 provided by the frame. The l shoulder 23v surrounds an opening in the frame 28 through which'an extension 24 of the cylinder projects. yA washer 25 surrounds the extension 24 and' bears aga-inst the right end of the frame 28. The "extension 24 has a'centrally located recess 26 of square cross section contour which loosely receives the end 2l of a shaft 28 which is made of square stock. Shaft 28 is provided with an annular groove 29. The shaft is maintained in coupled relation to the lock cylinder extension 24 by a coupler 30 shown in perspective in Fig. 4.

Coupler 30 is punched and shaped from sheet metal so as to provide a flat base portion 3| provided with a square opening 32 of such dimensions that the shaft 28 may pass through it when the faces of the squared end`21 of the shaft are located parallel to the squared edges 32a of the opening 32; but, when the shaft 28 is located so that its corner edges are staggered with respect tothe corners of the'hole 32 the shaft cannot be passed into the hole. The coupler 30 is provided With diametrically opposite prongs 33 extending from the base 3| and located substantially parallel to each other. The center line of symmetryy 33al of the prongs 33 Will intersect a diagonal line :zz-j-:c which intersects opposite corners of the opening 32. The coupler 30 is provided with diametrically opposite prongs 34 hav-,- ing hooked ends 35. The symmetrical aXes'of prongs 34 intersect a line y-fy which intersectsV Y opposite corners of the hole 32 and which is sub` stantially at right angles to the line :c-nc.`

The shaft groove 23 is of such Width as to freely receive portions of the base 3| of the coupler 30. The extension 24 is` provided on its eX- terior with diametrically opposite flat grooves 43 extending longitudinally of the cylinder and 1ocated in planes parallel to opposite surfaces 26a. defining the squared recess 26. The grooves 43 are of such dimensions as to receive the prongs 33 of coupler 30. The extension 24 is provided with diametrically opposite transverse atgrooves 45 located in planes paralleling theat surfaces` 26h which define the Squared recess 26. Each groove 45 is adapted to receive a hooked end 35 of a prong 34. Extension 24 is provided With diametrically opposite tapering grooves 46 having at bottoms 46a which meet the right-hand end surfaces of the extension 24 at edges which are parallel to the surfaces 26h defining the squared recess 26. f

To couple the shaft 28 to the cylinder 2|, the squared end 21 of shaft 28 is placed in substan-A tially axial alignment with the coupler V3|] and is turned so that its flat surfaces are parallelg to the fiat side edges 32a of the hole'32 inthe coupler 30. This permits passing the shaft 23j through the base 3| of the coupler 30. The shaft- 28 is passed through the base 3|.until the Vgroove 29 is in alignment with the base 3|. Thenlthe shaft 28 is turned relative to the coupler 3U until the squared hole 32 of the base 3| of cou plerr 30 is locatedV with respect to the head 21 of shaft 2B as shown in Fig. 3. In other words the shaft 28 is turned 45 from a position which permits passing the shaft through the coupler base' 3| to a position such as shown in Fig. 3 which prevents detaching the shaft 28 from the coupler 3D. Then the shaft `28 together with the coupler 30 are moved axially relative to the cylinder 2|" to permit the shaft head 21 to enter the squaredn recess 26 in the lock cylinder extension 24 and the prongs of the coupler are caused to engage the extension 24 in the following manner:

. The prongs 33 are received by the grooves 43 of the cylinder extension 24, and the hooked ends 35 of prongs 34 of the coupler are received by the grooves 45. During this relative axial movement between the coupler 3l) and the cylinder. extension 24 the prongs 35 rst engage the tapered surfaces 46a of the grooves 46 which cause the prongs 34 to be spread apart. Due to the re-f siliency of the metal of which' the coupler is constructed the prongs will unflex as soon as the hooked ends 35 are in alignment with the grooves 45 ,of the lock cylinder.` Then the prongs 35 snap into the grooves 45 thereby locking the coupler to the lock cylinder extension 24. Then the shaft 28 cannot be withdrawn from coupling engagement with the lock cylinder 2| because corner portions of the head 21 of shaft 28 will be obstructed by the at portions 32a defining the opening 32 in the coupler base 3|.

To prevent a rattling sound 4due to the mo. tion of the shaft 28 relative to the coupler and` cylinder, a compression spring 50 is located between Vthe head 21 of the shaft 28and end .wall 5| of an axial recess in the extension 24 Spring. 50 urges the head 21 of shaft 28 against the coupler, thereby eliminating noise.`

The prongs 34 function not only to attach the coupler to the cylinder extension 24, but they alsoretainthe washer to the position shown iny Fig.` 1, thereby preventing displacement ofthe cylinder 2|,toward the, left with respectA to the frame 20.

The part 601s a rotatable cover Vwhich is .normally urged ,by spring 6| intopositionfor covering the opening 62 through which the key isY passediwhen being applied to thecylinder 2l..

From the Yforegoing it isapparent that I have provided for the connection of-the lock shaft of the .key cylinder by a relative` simple andrinexpensive coupling member which serves also to prevent displacement of the key cylinder with respect to the cylinder frame in onedirection. These parts may be readily disassembled ,by the, use of a simple tool such asa screw driver ,-to pry the prongs 34 away from the cylinder extension 24 so as to withdraw the, hooked ends. 35, from the grooves l5/.of the cylinder extension 24. Then the coupler (l0-can be removed together with the shaft 28 from the cylindery extension; 24.. Them-after `turning shaft 28 forty-five. de grees with respect to the coupler 30 so as to locate the flats of the shaft 21 parallel to the ats 32a of the opening 32 in the coupler 30, `the shaft 28.Inay be disassembled from the coupler 30.

While the embodiment of the present inven` tion as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it isfto be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming Within theascopc of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A cylinder lock comprising a frame, a key receiving cylinderrotatable within theframel and4 having a part extending through an end wall ofthe frame, a square shaft `or bar for transmitting rotary motion from the cylinder, saidbari; having a square head portion received by a squarev recess in the cylinder extension and havinglan annular groove locatedoutside the cylinder extension when thel cylinder and bar areassembled,g and a coupler having a base provided with; a square hole of such dimensions that, the square head of the bar will pass through said square holeI when the ats of the` bar are substantially parallel to the flats of the coupler base `deiining the square hole therein, thedimensions of said: squar hole of thefcoupler `base ,beingsuchthan when the bar is turned approximately rela-` tive to the coupler base, the square head of the ba-r willA not pass through the square hole `inthe coupler base, suchK turning-being,permitted fby aligning the coupler base with Vthe groove inthe bar,` and means provided by the coupler and cylluder-,extension for attaching the couplerv to said',y extension in such position that the` corners of-v the hole in the coupler base are staggeredwith respect to the corners of the square recessin the cylinder extension.

2'. A cylinder lock according tocla,im 1, `said 75 coupler being provided with ilat prongs which extend substantially at right angles from the coupler base and from portions of the base adjacent corners ofthe square holeA therein, and said cylinder extension being provided with ats located parallel to iiats of the square recess of the cylinder extension, said ats receiving said prongs.

3. A cylinder lock according to claim l, said coupler beingV provided with resilient prongs extending from the coupler base and having hooked ends which'snap into recesses provided by the l cylinder extension.

coupler being provided with resilient prongs exe.

tending yfrom the coupler base and along the outside, of the cylinder extension vtopositions adjacent the end wall of the frame, said prongs having hooked, ends. which snap into recesses.

provided by the cylinder extension whereby accidental removal of the coupler fromv the cylinder, extension is prevented,r and also removal of the cylinder from the frame.

6. A cylinder lock according to Iclaim l, saidl coupler being provided with four prongsextending, respectively,.from those portions ofthe coupler-A base which areadjacent `to corners of the square hole therein, a diametrically Opposite pair of said prongs being flat `andreceived by flatbottom, longitudinally: extending grooves provided by the cylinder extension whereby to prevent rotation of the coupler relative to the cylinder extension, another diametrically opposite pair of i said prongs` being resilient and having hooked ends adaptedfto snap into recesses provided by the cylinder extension whereby to prevent accidental separationof the coupler from the cylinder extension.

7. In a cylinder lock, ,the combination with a frame providingfa bearing, a key operated cylinder rotatable in said bearing having a part extending throughanl end wall of the frame and providedfwith anzaxially locatednon-round recess, ashaft or bar for transmitting rotary movement fromthe cylinder, said bar having an end portionof non-round cross-sectional contour `adapted to be received by, the non-round recesslof thecylinder when the bar is properly located -rotatively with respect tothe recess, and a couplerincluding a flat base rportion adapted to .be locatedadjacent and substantially parallel tothe end ofthe. cylinder extension, said coupler basehaving a non-round hole through which the endof the bar may be passed when the bar and coupler are properly located rotatively with respect to ,each other, said bar having a portionY which can be located in the plane of the coupler base andwhich is of such shape and dimensions as to permit `turning of thebar relative to the coupler. base so thatY the bar. end cannot pass through `the base, vand means provided by the coupler` and cylinder extension for attaching the coupler theretoin such location that the end of the bar,.thus received by the recess of the cylinder extension, cannot be withdrawn but willbe obstructedbyv the `coupler base, the connection `between the cylinder and bar preventing rotativelya1igning `the 4non-round bar end with the non-roundehole in the coupler base.

'sition with the parts 8. In a cylinder lock, the combination with a frame providing a bearing; a key operated cylinder rotatable in the bearing having a part extending through an end wall of the frame and having an axially located non-round recess; a connecting bar for actuation by the cylinder, said bar having an end portion of non-round cross section adapted to be received by the nonround recess, coupling means for holding the cylinder, the frame and the bar in assembled relation, said coupling means including a base having an opening through Which one end of the bar may be passed, said opening adapted to be arranged With respect to the non-round portion of the bar so that the non-round portion cannot pass through the opening when the cylinder, the frame and the bar are in their proper assembled relation; and a coiled spring housed within the recess for urging the bar longitudinally of the cylinder, said spring operating to hold resiliently the non-round portion of the bar against portions of the base of the coupling means to prevent rattling.

9. In a cylinder lock, the combination with a rotatable key operated cylinder, a frame providing a bearing for the cylinder, a shaft or bar to transmit rotary movement from the cylinder, a Washer about the cylinder exterior of the frame, and a one-piece coupler about the cylinder exterior of the frame and the bar for connecting the cylinder and the bar and for holding the Washer against the frame to prevent removal of the cylinder from the frame and prevent separation of the bar from the cylinder.

10. A cylinder lock comprising a frame, a key receiving cylinder rotatable Within the frame and having a part extending beyond an end of the frame, a ring surrounding the extending part of the cylinder, a shaft adapted to receive rotary movement from the cylinder, a one-piece coupler about the extending part of the cylinder and the shaft for connecting the shaft with the cylinder and for holding the ring against the end of the frame whereby appreciable longitudinal movement between the cylinder and frame is prevented and the cylinder is incapable of being removed from the frame When the coupler is in its assembled relation with the .element-s.

11. A cylinder lock comprising a frame, a key receiving cylinder rotatable Within the frame and having a part extending beyond an end of the frame, a ring surrounding the extending part of the cylinder, a shaft adapted to receive rotary movement from the cylinder, a one-piece detachable coupler about the extending parts of the shaft for connecting the shaft With the cylinder, and means including integral parts of the coupler for anchoring the coupler to the extending part and for holding the ring firmly against the end of the frame to prevent longitudinal movement of the cylinder in either direction.

l2. A cylinder lock comprising a frame, a key receiving cylinder rotatable within thek frame and having a part extending beyond the rear end of the frame, a member slidably mounted upon the extending part of the cylinder exterior oi the frame, a bar to transmit rotary movement from the cylinder, a one-piece coupler about the extending part of the cylinder and the bar for connecting the cylinder and the bar, and means associated with the coupler in its assembled pofor maintaining the memthe frame whereby the ber against the end of being removed from the cylinder is incapable of frame.

13. A cylinder lock comprising a frame, a key receiving `cylinder rotatable within the frame and having a portion extending beyond the frame, an apertured member about the extending portion of the cylinder, a shaft having a portion adapted to enter a recess in the extending portion of the cylinder so as to receive rotary movement from the cylinder, removable means about the extending portion of the cylinder and the shaft, said means operating t0 hold that portion of the shaft Within the recess of the cylinder and for holding the apertured member firmly against the end of the frame whereby the cylinder and the bar are incapable of being removed from the frame and the recess respectively when the removable member is in its assembled relation with the parts.

14. A lock comprising a frame; a plug rotatably supported Within the frame and extending beyond the rear end of the frame and having a depression; a Washer about the extending portion; and a removable cap member non-rotatably supported about the extending portion of the plug for holding the frame, plug and Washer in assembled relation preventing removal of the plug from the frame, said cap member including a plurality of resilient prongs at least one of the prongs having an angular projection anchored in the depression to prevent any substantial axial movement of the cap member relative to the plug and having the free ends of the other prongs abutting the Washer holding the washer against the rear end of the frame.

15. A lock comprisinga frame; a plug rotatably supported Within the frame and extending beyond the rear end of the frame; a bar for transmitting rotary movement from the plug, said bar having an interiitting connection with the plug; and a coupler 4having a base provided with an opening through which the bar intertting connection Will pass when in predetermined position With respect to the opening and when the bar is turned a certain distance relative to the base the intertting connection Will not pass through the opening, such turning being permitted when the coupler base is beyond the intertting connection of the bar; and resilient arms extending from the base of the coupler and having portions which t into depressions provided by the plug extension to anchor the coupler to the'base, said arms operating to prevent accidental removal of the plug from the frame.

16. A cylinder lock comprising, a frame, a plug rotatable within the frame and having a portion extending beyond the frame; a bar for transmitting rotary movement from the plug, said bar having a driving connection with the extending portion and having an annular groove located beyond the driving connection; and a coupler having a base provided with an opening of such dimensions that the drive connection of the bar will pass through the opening when in predetermined position vvith respect to the opening, and when the bar is turned a certain distance relative to the coupler base, the bar drive connection will not pass through the opening, such turning being permitted by aligning the coupler base with the annular groove of the bar; and means provided by the coupler and the extending portion of the plug for anchoring the coupler to the extending portion with the means of the coupler operating, automatically, to prevent accidental removal of the plug from the frame.

ARNOLD A. BLUEMLE. 

